“No, I couldn’t hate you. You’re my only friend here.”]
After this we became much closer. Devyn and I were best friends.
[One afternoon in November we were on my balcony;
sun was shining and Devyn’s hair was billowing around her head like
fire.
She’s so beautiful, like a phoenix.
Her dark chocolate eyes were following words on a page.
“What’re you reading Mariposita?”
She had a thick novel in her lap.
“Jack London. Mariposita?”
She looked up at me and my heart
fluttered.
“It means little butterfly. I guess it just slipped out.”
That night she slept over for the first time.
We were in my bed watching TV; half in the dark.
She turned to me.
“Cote,”
I was practically drooling. She never finished the sentence.
“I want to ask you something.”
I took her hands in mine and leaned in close.
“Would you be mi novia?”
She looked down, then up.
“Yea, I will.”
I saw something in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ve never been in a relationship before.”
“Me either.”
“But I have been with girls.”
I said nothing.
“Don’t worry.”
She kissed me softly,
tasting of honey.
My head swam and I almost fell off the bed.]
We spend so much time together now. I can’t believe Mom and Dad aren’t on my case about not ever being home.
[I only half hear the door through my iTunes.
“Devyn, someone at the door for you!”
My dad calls.
It’s Cote. He’s crying.
“What’s wrong?”
I hug him tight.
“I had a fight with my dad.” He whispers up to my ear.
I love being taller than him. We’re halfway up the stairs.
“Where are you going?” My mother’s voice, slightly shrill below us.
“To my room.” I’m annoyed.
“Not with a strange boy you’re not!”
“Mom,” I protest.
“I won’t hear it. Go in the den.”
On the couch I hold him in my arms.
“What happened Hun?” I whisper so my parents won’t hear.
“He said I was a disgrace. That I can’t keep acting that way while he’s trying to get elected.” His dad is running for mayor.
“I’m so sorry. How did you get here?” I squeeze his hand.
“My mini bike.” He’s shaking.
“It’s ok. You can lie low here for a while.” I rub his back.
“Are you sure, your parents-”
“They’ll get over it.” I fill him with matzo ball soup for dinner. My parents give each other looks across the table.
“Are you at least going to tell us his name?” My dad asks awkwardly.
“It’s Cote. Thanks, by the way, for letting me eat with you.” He wipes his mouth and my father nods.]
My dad really got on my case when I finally go there.
[“Cassidy, where have you been?” I cringed mid-sneak on the stairs.
“I was out.” I didn’t want to go down because he’d yell at me.
“Cass,”
“Do you have to keep calling me that?”
“Yes, that is the name your mother and I gave to you when you were born.” He would usually have been talking in Spanish by then.
“I’m going to bed.” I ran up the stairs before he could say anything.
“Cassidy! Open the door, now!” He yelled, banging it with his fist.
“Ay, Papi no! Go away!” My voice was high pitched.
“Why do you do this to me?” He sighed.
“I don’t; it’s for me” I said from the balcony.
“You’re just giving me a hard time, ever since your mother died.”
“No Dad! You don’t listen. Mom said she was the same way. She understood me.”
“Do not talk about her like that!
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